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Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases 10(1):p 21-25, January - June 2024. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijcd.2395.6631.10124.4
Case Report
Herpes Simplex Encephalitis in an Elderly Woman with Comorbidities
Krishnendu Choudhary, Biswarup Mukherjee
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases 10(1):p 21-25, January - June 2024. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijcd.2395.6631.10124.4
How Cite This Article:
Choudhary K, Mukherjee B. Herpes Simplex Encephalitis in an Elderly Woman with Comorbidities. Indian J Community Dis. 2024;10(1):21-25.Timeline
Received : May 27, 2024
Accepted : June 26, 2024
Published : June 28, 2024
Abstract
Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a relatively common sporadic central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (most often) and HSV 2 (occasionally). The final diagnosis depends on CSF PCR study to conclude the presence of the HSV in CNS. But as this is not possible in all patients due to limited availability and precluded in patients with raised intracranial tension, clinical and radiological features with a high index of suspicion is the cornerstone of early diagnosis and managing this acute, potentially lethal CNS infection. HSE presents with initial nonspecific symptoms like fever, headache followed by rapidly evolving neurological features namely, seizures, impaired sensorium and altered behavior which, if left untreated, may progress to coma, quadiparesis and death. Early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antiviral drug acyclovir can control the infection and promote recovery, especially in elderly people who are usually severely affected by the virus due to their comorbidities and possible immunocompromised state. Here we present an elderly woman with essential hypertension who was admitted with symptoms of a viral fever rapidly progressing to loss of consciousness. Her imaging features and clinical presentation was supplementated by serological test positive for HSV 1 IgG and IgM antibody. She was promptly dealt with by necessary medical therapy precluding CSF study for HSV-PCR due to her raised intracranial tension. She recovered completely and uneventfully in 2 weeks. Physiotherapy was instituted.
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Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
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Conflicts of Interest
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Cite this article
Choudhary K, Mukherjee B. Herpes Simplex Encephalitis in an Elderly Woman with Comorbidities. Indian J Community Dis. 2024;10(1):21-25.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2024 | June 26, 2024 | June 28, 2024 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijcd.2395.6631.10124.4
Keywords
EncephalitisHerpes simplex virusSerologyTemporal lobeInsulaSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | May 27, 2024 |
| Accepted | June 26, 2024 |
| Published | June 28, 2024 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
